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Dodge, Jeep and Ram could soon be owned by Chinese automakers

For the past several years, Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has made it widely known that the automaker he helms is up for grabs. First, he sent an email to GM CEO Mary Barra, who immediately refused to even discuss a merger. Later, Marchionne set his sights on Volkswagen. That too was swiftly rebuffed. It seemed like no global automaker was remotely interested in a partnership. Now, Automotive News reports that several Chinese automakers have come calling, only FCA isn't ready to answer. At least not yet. The news broke this morning that a major Chinese automaker had made an offer to purchase FCA for slightly above market value. FCA refused, saying the offer wasn't quite generous enough. It's unclear which automaker made the offer, but Automotive News says there's more than one interested party. FCA representatives have recently traveled to China to meet with Great Wall Motors, while Chinese representatives were seen at FCA corporate headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. The Chinese government has a lot of money invested in local automakers. It's putting pressure on these automakers to expand globally, including to the United States. As it stands, it's a matter of when a Chinese automaker will start selling cars here, not if. Purchasing an established automaker with a wide range of products and a huge dealer network would do wonders in giving the Chinese a foothold here. Sure, Geely owns Volvo, but a luxury automaker doesn't have nearly as much reach as a more mainstream company like FCA. This seems like the best case scenario for both a Chinese automaker looking to move into the U.S. and for FCA, at least from a business standpoint. The latter doesn't seem to have any other interested parties. It will be interesting to see how FCA would sell a deal like this to the public. We're not sure everyone will be happy with Dodge, Jeep and Ram falling under Chinese ownership. FCA didn't turn down the Chinese because they didn't like the idea. It turned down the offer because there wasn't enough money on the table. Related Video: News Source: Automotive News Earnings/Financials Alfa Romeo Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM

Mopar '15 performance kit now available for Dodge Charger R/T

Dodge is releasing a new Mopar performance kit for the 2015 Charger R/T sedan, offering up just 50 examples of the dealer-installed upgrade package. Only a select few dealers will sell the kit, and they'll do so at a price of $3,550. As per usual, the Mopar kit makes both performance and aesthetic changes. For the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, upgrades include the Stage 1 Scat Pack kit, which adds a cat-back exhaust and cold-air intake, good for 18 additional horsepower and 18 more pound-feet of torque. There's also a new strut tower brace and a "premium fuel powertrain control module." Aesthetic changes are remarkably simple, with matte black body-side decals being the only notable addition to the exterior. In the cabin, there's a serialized dash plaque and new door sill plates. This is the sixth Mopar special edition since 2009. If you wish to join this fairly exclusive fraternity of Dodge owners, dealers are currently accepting orders, with deliveries slated to start later this month. Scroll down for the official press release from Dodge. PERFORMANCE IN A BOX: MOPAR '15 PERFORMANCE KIT LAUNCHES FOR 2015 DODGE CHARGER R/T Owners of 2015 Dodge Charger R/T can enhance their ride with a Mopar '15 performance kit 50 limited-edition Mopar '15 performance kits now available through authorized dealerships for an MSRP of $3,550 Mopar '15 follows the success of five special-edition vehicle packages offered by the FCA brand since 2009 Delivery of Mopar '15 performance kits to begin in early June June 8, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Mopar enthusiasts that feel the need to enhance the look and performance of their new 2015 Dodge Charger R/T can now do exactly that with a new Mopar '15 performance kit. With just 50 units available, authorized dealerships are now accepting orders for the limited-edition Mopar '15 kits for an MSRP of $3,550 with delivery to begin in early June. "Mopar has a long history of delivering to enthusiasts performance and customization in unique and convenient packages," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO — Mopar Brand Service, Parts and Customer Care, FCA. "We are now shifting into another gear and offering a limited-edition kit that will allow customers to really enhance the performance and look of their Dodge Charger R/T." The Mopar '15 kit is a street-legal performance package that includes the Scat Pack Performance Stage Kit 1, as well as a front strut tower brace with caps and bright pedal kit.

Dodge Viper now available in matte finish

The prospect of buying a new Dodge Viper just got that much more enticing with the introduction of matte-finish paint direct from the factory. Available as part of the "1 of 1" customization program, the matte finishes aren't being offered in just a handful of colors like some other automakers do: customers will be able to specify a matte finish on any of the 8,000 colors that are already part of the program's palette. The matte finish option adds yet another step to the exhaustive hand-painting process that Dodge offers on the Viper - a painstaking endeavor that takes upwards of 145 man hours to complete. Specialists start by applying a base coat and a clear finish, followed by the paint and clear coat. The finished body panels are then smoothed with 1,000-grit paper and polished. A second sanding process is required for the matte finish before the application of a matte clear coat. Specify custom stripes (available in five colors or by custom order) and they're applied under the paint, not as decals on top. The availability of the matte finish in conjunction with the stripe options and new satin badging and fuel cap leads to over 50 million combinations. Needless to say, that means no two Vipers need ever leave the Conner Avenue assembly plant the same – though there will surely always be certain favorite combinations, especially on those units ordered from outside the customization program. Related Video: DODGE EXPANDS INDUSTRY-FIRST '1 OF 1' VIPER CUSTOMIZATION PROGRAM WITH NEW MATTE-FINISH PAINT OPTION - New matte-finish exterior paint available on all of Viper '1 of 1' program's 8,000 exterior color options and 24,000 stripe options - Viper's custom '1 of 1' exterior paint options double to 16,000 exterior colors and 48,000 unique strip combinations - Matte finish available in all exclusive '1 of 1' program and standard production colors - In addition to matte-finish exterior paint, Viper customers can choose between satin chrome or satin black badging and fuel filler door for a sinister appearance - Dodge Viper owners can build their one-of-a-kind Viper from more than 50 million unique build configurations for the ultimate in model year exclusivity June 19, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Dodge brand continues to expand the Viper's exclusive production elements like never before.